The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-09-15
Family Feuds.

Every Kind of topic is popularity con-
eeded to come within the province OF
newspaper discussion and criticism; and
certainly we know of none in which
the community can be more largely in
terested than in one that is intimately
associated with the happiness of almost
every individual.
More than half the beginnings OF
family troubles date with the most
trivial acts or causes. Apredisposition
to a jealous or suspicious state of mind
on the part Of husband and wife leads
by rapid steps to few differences. A
trifiing remark. dropped without
thought, often leads to as wide an al
ienation as do in other cases the gray
est troubles. Parties would pause in
perfect astonishment if they would on
ly occasionally revert to the commence
ment of their future unhappiness.
They would. have too much pride to
believe that they had SO completely
resigned themselves to the manage
ment of the most contemplate circum-
stance.
We say the first step in the path OF
disaffection, taken by either man OF
wife, is the very step to be guarded
against; or, when taken, to be retract-
ed at the earliest opportunity. We
think we speak the experience OF
every one whose unhappiness is trace
able to it. But the first error is rarely
sought to be repaired. 1t brings
modification and chagrin with it. and
stuffy resolutions grow up, GOODNESS
comes on apace. hard looks lead fast to
hard words, Indifference induces stud
led separation. and the remarks OF
busy bodies intervene to complete a
work they would perhaps have vainly
tried to commence of themselves.
There is no class of persons in the
community SO utterly despicable, so
beneath common regard, as public
busy bodies. We find them always at
hand in full numbers. They are al
ways ready with peculiar services
wherein they can detect a crevice in
which to drive the entering wedge OF
their mischief. They are perfect pests
in society, of no service of any des-
cription, but of incalculable i'll. They
eat their way into the far character of
families as moths eat into clothing. In
the gu,se of friends, and with the cant
of hypocrites fresh from their lying
lips, they manage to get to the bottom
of other peoples affairs, for the plain
purpose of trading on the capital OF
which they may be the successful and
unperceived thieves.
If man or his wife have in a mo-
ment of unexpected haste taken 9
single false step, even if neither feel
inclined at the time to put matters
right again, one error at least might
be avoided that is too commonly the
pledge of an endless train of misfor-
tunes thereafter; and that error is, fol
the party who imagines himself or her
self wronged to hasten to lay open their
difficulties to third person. Who is
this third person that is so readily to be
found, and so kind as to listen to these
foolish little grievances? Evidently nc
other than one who has by his or hel
previous acquaintance too often volun-
teered to become the receptacle of all
the family news that might be thrown
in the way.
These are the most dangerous char
ncters living, either to promote or to
save the happiness of married couple.
Though oil is on their lips and honey
flows from their tongues, their hearts
are surcharged with venom, and their
whole purpose rankles with malicious
envy. They are the ones that go about
from house to house, ready at any time
to smother warm affections. glad to see
differences arising and trouble brew
ing, letting fall a random hint here anG
a misunderstanding remark there
gloating with an inhuman pride and
satisfaction over the unhapplness they
have the power 10 create, and serving
steadily every moment the devils com
mands in better livery which does mo-
belong their wardrobe. If man ant
his wife could agree but for moment
to forget their own minor differences
and take in hand the efforts these
monsters in society are making
to increase them. we pledge our
selves that the reunion formed
for routing the common enemy woult
sweep away all former vestiges of theil
troubles. A married couple play The
part of insanity when they take pains
to introduce foreign elements of mis-
chief under their roof. The first com
pact to which they should bind them
selves after the solemn one of matrimo
ny is to repel any and all advance!
from the gossipping busy-bodies wht
live off the domestic happiness of 9th
ers. Else they may find themselves IL
an unguarded hour, in the meshes o.
persons whom at the outset they woulc
properly despise. and running for adj
vice to characters whose richest deserts
would be an election from the house.
1t is comparatively easy, we know
| to speculate on these matters, and il
cooler moments to give up to q littl,
philosophy. 1t might. however, b.
made quite as easy to accustom our
selves. all of us. to look at these thing.
| in just the same temper on all occa
sions. If married people, and particu
larly young married people, would be
gin with driving off these intriguing
and wanton mischief-makers, these gos
sips. who defile the family circle will
their very tread, these scandal-manu
facturers. whose tongues disoharg
their vile loads at every house in whicl
their presence is tolerated. these nui
sances to every respectable communi
ty, they would have gained one poin
at the start that is only gained with ex
ceeding difficulty afterwards. At an,
rate, those who see others rushin:
blindly into the plan OF these charac
ters should at all times be willing t
sound warning. American CultiVa
tor.
/ pncu1ior pino